Ink agitator device



FIG-I- April 9, 1963 H. W. GEGENHEIMER ETAL INK AGITATOR DEVICE Filed April 5, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS HAROLD W. GEGENHEIMER WILLIAM GATTO N By ANDREW N. STAB //ym FWM, flmiawf w Q) AT'I'ORNEYS April 1963 w. GEGENHEIMER ETAL 3084,625

INK AGI'IATOR DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 5. 1961 United States Patent O and William Syosset, N.Y.

Brock- The prsent inventi-on relates to agitators -for printing press ink reservoirs or fountains and more partic-ularly to improved mechanism tfor maintaining the ink in the reservoir in a continuously -agitated or mixed condition for proper, uniform feeding onto the ink fountain Toller.

Heretofore, ink fountain agitators for maintaining the ink in -the reservoir in a mixed condition have only been generally available for printing presses having a substantial widtn; namely, at least :twenty inches. This Width limitation was dictated by the oornplexity of the agitator mechanisrn. 'l-lowever, there has developed a -subsfiantial demand -for ink agitators capable of installation on smaller presses. This demand =has been created in large rneas-ure by the increase in eleotronic bank check processing wherein checks are imprin-ted with a code nurnber of magnetic ink. This code nurnber produces a par-ticular electrical signal when electronically processed the signal so produoed actuating electno-responsive check sorting and posting devices.

Magnetic ink encoding of ehecks is frequently earried out on presses fourteen inches in width -for which 110 agitators were heretofore readily available. However, magnetic inks for check encoding contain ferrous partieles which have a tendeney to settle out of the ink solution and therefore must be continually agitated in the ink fiountain to ensure proper decoding of the printed char- -acters on the check. Further, many types of ink, especially tl1e magnetic inks used in check encoding, exhi'bit a tendency to back away from the rotating fountain roller and must be =continuously urged or force-fed into uniform contact With the fountain roller to avoid erratic applieation of ink to the ink fountain roller. Improper or non-uniforrn coverage of the ink fountain roller resu-lts in variations in tl1e ink filrn thickness on the check, thereby producing a poor or incorrect signal during subsequent electronic processing of the imprinted check.

General Description Aecordingly, the present invention is chanacterized by the provision of an improved ink agit=ator unit which is compact, efiicient and inexpensive and adapted for use With srnaller printing presses than heretofore possible. The improved agitator unit eomprises a rotatable conical agitator mill mounted for reciproeating travel in the ink reservoir or fountain. The unit includes a support-head member in which the mill is freely rot-atably mounted. The support head mernber is driven back and forth in an elongated, enclosed ho-using supported above and parallel to the reservoir by an endless conveyor. A simplified device is provided for effecting reversal of the head drive. In the preferred ernbodirnent, this deviee includes a transverse track -formed in the head in which is slidably mounted a block eonneeted to a drive pin on the conveyor. As the drive pin reverses direction With the 'endless comveyor, the track accornrnodates transverse travel of the block and pin, adapting the head for travel from one longitudinal direction in tl1e housing to rnovernent in the opposite direction. In a modified form of the invention, cam rneans elfects reversal of movernent of the head in the housing. in addition, a pinion fixed to the mill shaft is in meshing egnagement with a vertically disposed rack member -supported by the trank. Reciprocal movement of the head thus also eifects sim=ult-aneous Iotational movement 0f the mill.

To maintain the agitator unit in operative osition in the ink fountain, -the unit includes a pair of spaced clamp arms adapted to engage a portion of the press frame to fix the agitator unit in operative osition, means is also provided for -facilitating oleaning or replacement of the agitator mill. This includes -a spring look coupling for detacha-bly connecting the mill to its operating shaft.

In a modified form of the invention, means is also included for varying the distance that the agitator recipn0cates in the ink foui1tain. A pair of opposed cams are mounted on the eross head element and are adapted-to be alternately engaged by the endless conveyor and driven back and forth. Camming elements adjustably mounted on each end of the elongated cross head track are operative -to urge a particul-ar carn into engagement with the endless conveyor while moving the other eam out of engagement therewith. Thus the camming elements eifect reversal of the cross head at the end of Tun in the elenga-ted track. Since the cam tracks are adjustably mounted, their relative spaced position can lae selectively varied, thereby changing the distance the agitator unit travels in the ink fountain.

Objects lt is, therefore, an object of 1the present invention to provide an improved ink agit-ator unit that is oompact, efficient and inexpensive, and adapted for use With small printing presses than heretofore possible.

lt is another object of -the invention to provide an irnproved agitating unit for use with printing presses employing magnetic inks wherein -the unit includes a rotatable agitator mi ll mounted for reciprocating travel in the ink reservoir by rneans of a chain-driven cross head member.

Another object of the present inv'ention is to provide an improved ink agitator unit having a rota-t-able agitator mill, and a spring lock coupling between the mill rnember and its operating shaft to facilitate rernoval of the mill for cleaning or replacement.

A further objeet of the invention is to provide an improved ink fountain agitator unit having an enclosed elongated housing disposed parallel to and spaced fron1 the ink fountain roller which supports a head member for longitudinal reciproeating travel therethrough, and an agitator mill disposed in the fountain and comneet-ed to an operating shaft rotatably rnounted in the head and ineluding a chain conveyor in the housing for travelling the head back and fiorth therein while a r=ack and pinion arrangernent in the housing simultaneously rotates the agitator shaft and mill.

Objects and advan-tages of the invention will l e set forth in part hereinafter and in part Will be obvious herefrorn, or may be learned -by practice with the invention, the -same being realized and attained by rneans of the instrumentalities and combinations pointed ou-t in the appended claims.

The invention consists in the novel Parts, constructions arrangernents, combinations and improvements herein shown and describ'ed.

The accornpanying drawings, refer-red to herein and constituting a part hereof, illustrate embodiments of the invention, and together With the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

In the drawings wherein like reference characters are used throughout designate like elements:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view partly in section, of the preferred embodirnent of the present invention;

LFIGURE 2 is a front view, taken along line 2*2 cf FIGURE 1 FIGURE 3 is a detailed sec tional view, taken along line 33 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a sectional side elevation, taken along line 4-4 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 5 is a plan view, partly in section, of a modified form of the present invention;

FIGURE 6 is a sectional side elevation, taken along lines 66 of FIGURE 5;

-FIGURE 7 is a bottom view of. the mechanism illustrated in FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 8 is a detailed sectional view of the agitator mill coupling means;

FIGURE 9 is a side elevation illustrating the agitator unit in operative ink mixing and feeding position.

Referring specifically to FIGS. l4 of the drawings, there is illustrated the preferred ernbodiment of the invention which cornprises a rotatable ink agitator unit, designed generally 1%, which is mounted for travel back and forth in the ink fountain 12 of a conventional printing press (not shown). Unit is supported for reciprocal travel in an elongated ho=using 14 of generally rectangular cross section. Housing 14 is supported at each end by a support bracket 16 pivotally connected at the upper ends thereof to a pin 19 extending from an associated end plate 18 cf housing 14. The upper ends of brackets 16 are preferably bifurcated to accommoclate pins 19. Cap screws 211 are provided for clarnping the split ugoper ende of brackets 16 together, locking bracket 16 to pin 19 and tbus to its associated end plate 18, positively securing, housing 1410 its support brackets 16. Loosening 01 cap screws 26 perrnits housing 14 to be rotated relative to its support brackets 16 to any desired rotative position.

In operative position, housing 14 is generally spaced from and parallel to the ink fountain roller 11 The con figuration of the brackets 16 is dependent upon the malte o1 type of p1ess on which the agitator unit 10 is to be mounted. In the typical installation illustrated, each br'acket 16 extends transver'sely from housing 14 and includes at its free end, an arcuate front section 22 adapted to bear on the fountain roller support shaft 13. Brackets 16 also include a transverse rear secti=on 24 having a notch o1 recess 26 formed therein. Notches 26 are adapted to receive a portion 28 of tl1e press frame (not shown). Bach section 24 is provided at its terminal end With a hub 30 which threadedly accommodates a lock screw 32 for travel into clanrping engagement With the portion 23 of the press frame in notch 26 of its associated bracket 16. Thus, lock screw 32 clamps brackets 16 and housing 14 in position on the press frarne as shown in FIG. 4. T he ink in fountain 12 is mixed or agitated for proper feeding to ink roller 11 by conical mixer element 34 10-.

cated above the bed 36 of the fountain. Mixer element 34is continuously recipnocated throughout the length of fountain 12 while being simultaneously rotated therein. Mixer element 34 is fixed to one end of a shaft 38. Shaft 38 is detachably connected by spring-lock coupling 39 to one end of drive shaft 46. The other end of shaft 40 is rotatably mounted in a support head men1ber 42 which in turn is slidably supported in housing 14,

Head 42 is mounted between spaced front and rear plates 44 and 46 01 housing 14 and adapted to travel longitudinal in housing 14. Front plate 44 has a transverse section 45 forming the top or cover of housing 14 to cornpletelyenclose head 42 on three sides. 'I 0 travel head 42 along inside housing 14, there is provided a chain drive mechanisrn which includes endless chain comveyor 48 trained at one end about a sprocket 51) driven by suitable power source such as motor 52 and speed reducer 54 (see FIG. 1). Motor 52 is mounted on bracket 56 fixed on one end plate 18. Bracket 56 is slotted as at 57 for ease of assembly and to permit adjustrnent of motor 52 thereon accommodating any stretch of chain 48. The other end gf chain 48 is trainecl arouncl an idler sprocket 5% rotatably mounted inside housing 14 to the underside of cover section 45. For reasons Set forth hereinbelow sproc l et 53 is spaced from the other end plate 18.

As shown best in :FIGS. 1 and 2, sprockets 56 and 58 mount chain conveyor 48 for travel in a plane general1y parallel to cover section and transverse to shaft 419 With tne stretches of chain 43 adjacent freut and rear plates 44 and 46 (See FIG. 3).

Chain conveyor 48 is connected in driving engagement With head 42 by means of pin 611 fixed to chain 48 wnich is freely accom-modated in a block 62 slidably mounted in a transverse slot 64 formed at one side in the t0 face 43 of head 42 As chain 48 is driven around sprockets 56 and 58, pin 66 urges block 62 and thus head 42 in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of housing 14, travelling head 42 back and forth in housing 14. To

support longitudinal movernent of head 42, front plate 44 is provided With an elongatecl track or key 74 adapted t0 accomrnodate a cooperating keyway 76 in head 42 for supporting head 42 for longitudinal travel in housing 14.

With head 42 moving in the direction of arrow A, FIGS. 1 and 2, pin 611 travels in the chain stretch adjacent front plate 44 and block 62 is positioned in slot 64 adjacent the inner face of plate 44. With head 42 travclling in the direction cf arrow B, 'FIGS. 1 and 2, pin 69 is traveled in the chain stretch adjacent rear plate 46 and block 62 has beenmoved by pin 641 into position acl iacent the inner face of plate 46. As pin 611 moves from onc stretch t o the other around sprockets 511 and 53, block 62 is slid in slot 62 from one sicle of head 42 to the other. As stated above, sprocket 53 is spaced from its adjacent end plate 13. Tlnis is to accommodate the maxirnum limit of travel of head 42 in housing 14 in the direction 01 arrow A. FIG. 1 illustrates the maximum travel of head 42 in the direction of arrow B. However, when pin 611 passes around sprocket 53, because of tl1e position of slot 64 therein, head -42 extends be-yond chain 48 as shown in phantom in FIG. 1. By suitably spacing sprocket 58 from its adjacent end plate 13, accomrnodation is made for the rnaximum travel of head 42 in the direction 0f arrow A.

T0 rotate conical mixer element 34 simultaneously With the longitudinal travel thereof With head 42, mixer element dri-ve shaft 40 is rotatably supported in spaced bearing rings 66 and 68 located in a central cavity 69 in head 42. Between spaced bearing rings 66 and 68, shaft 413 is provided in cavity 69 With a pinion 741 fixed to shaft 40 and rotatable therewith. T0 rotate pinion 76 and shaft 46 rear plate 46 supports an elongated rack section 72. Cavity 69 providcs access to rack 72 for pinion 70 adjacent rear plate 46 and rack 7.. is mounted in meshing engagement With pinion 7%.

The teeth 71 of rack 72 are preferably disposed downwardly when located in operative position (see FIG. 3). This arrangement of teeth 71 precludes the possibility of any ink from fountain 12 dropping into rack 72 and thereby disrupting proper operation thereof.

Normally when head 42 is moving in the direction of arrow A, FIG. 2, mill 34 would rotate in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 2 because of the functional contact With bed 36. I-Iowever, it has been found that this normal rotation of mill 34 tends to cause accurnulation or build-up of ink at the ends of fountain 12 resulting in improper ink feecl by mill 34. Accordingly, the teeth 71 of rack 72 and pinion 70 are so constructed and arranged in meshing engagement that, when head 42 moves in the direction of arrow A, FIG. 2, mill 34 is rotated in a counter clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 2. Likevvise when head 42 moves in the direction of arrow B, FIG. 2, mill 34 is rotated by pinion 76 and track 72 in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 2. Rotation of mill 34 in a direction opposite to that in which it would normally rotate overcomes the roblem cf ink build-up.

As head 42 is reciprocated in housing 14 as described hereinabove, pinion 70 travelling therewith is rotated by the teeth 71 of rack 72 in one direction as head 42 mves in the direction of arrow A, FIG. 1. Upon movement 01 head 42 in direction of arrow B, FIG. l, the rotation of pinion 70 is reversed. I-Iowever, while the direction of rotation of pinion "70 and hence mixer 34 is alternated, the rotation thereof is continuous during the reciprocating trave1 of head 42.

When it is necessary 10 clean or replace mixer element 34, as when a new color ink is to be used, there is provided the spring lock coupling 39 Which permits rapid removal 0f mixer 34 frorn its drive shaft 40. Referring specifically to FIG. 8, coupling 39 comprises a socket element 78 slidably mounted on the free end of shaft 38. Socket 78 has a cup-shaped cavity 80 formed therein to accornrnodate the stepped free end 41 cf shaft 40. T0 couple shafts 38 and 40 adjacent the end 41 of shaft 40, there is provided a transverse pin 82, which is received in slot 84 forrned in socket 78. Slot 84 is generally U-shaped and includes an entry section 86 which extends axially 0f socket 78 through the top thereof, a horizontal section 88 which accornmodates pin 82 during relative rotation oft socket 78 and pin 82. After entry into slot 84 at end of its travel in entry seetion 86 pin 82 is travelled through transverse section 88 by relative rotation of pin 82 and socket 78 to locking section 90. Locking section 90 is parallel to entry section 86 but terminates short of the t0p of socket 78. A compression spring 92 located in the bottom of socket 78 bears against a stepped cap 37 0n the end of shaft 38. Cap 37 and end 41 0f shaft 40 are provided With matching steps and spring 92 is operative to normally urge cap 37 and end 41 together, maintaining pin 82 in section 90 in locked position shown in FIG. 8. Sections 86, 88 and 90 are interconnected to forrn a continuons assage for the rnovement of pin 82 into and out 0f operative locked position.

T0 diseonnect shafts 38 and 40, socket 78 is slid axially along shaft 38 against the action of spring 92, moving pin 82 throngh section 90 into alignment With section 88. Relative rotation between socket 78 and shaft 40 travels pin 82 through seotion 88 into alignment With section 84. In this position, the shafts 38 and 40 rnay be freely disconnected to permit replacement or cleaning 0f mixer 34. Socket 78 includes an annular knnrled flange 94 formed on the outer periphery thereof to facilitate coupling and uncoupling of shafts 38 and 40. A snap ring 96 on the outer periphery of shaft 38, lirnits the axial travel socket 78 along shaft 38. Ring 96 and spring 92 thus rnaintain socket 78 and shaft 38 in operative pin receiving position when shafts 38 and 40 are nncoupled.

FIGS. 7 disclose a modified forrn 01 the present invention wherein means is provided for adjusting the length of reciprocal travel of the agitator unit. Like reference numerals indicate elements of similar construction and operation to elements in the preferred embodiment 01 the invention. 111 this embodiment, agitator unit 110 includes a head 142 adapted for reciprocal travel in housing 14 and driven by pin 60 on endless chain comveyor 48 as in the preferred embodiment. T0 connect head 142 in driving engagernent with chain 48, head 142 is provided With a pair 0f spaced cam elements 144 and 146, each pivotally connected by an associated pin 145 to a side of head 142. Bach cam 144 and 146 has an upper transverse section 148, 149 respectively adapted to be alternately positioned in the path of travel of pin 60 on chain 48. In addition, each cam |144 and 146 has a lower section 151, 153 respectively below their associated pin connection 145. Section 151, 153 extend outwardly from housing 14 for reasons set forth hereinbelow.

When travelling in the stretch of chain 48 adjacent rear housing plate 46-, pin 60 is in engagement with section 148 of cam 144 moving head 142 in the direction 01 arrow C, FIG. S. When travelling in the chain stretch adjacent front plate 44, pin 60 is in engagernent with section 149 of carn 146 urging head 142 in the direction of arrow D, FIG. 5.

T0 pivot cams 144 and 146 into and out of pin engaging position, there is provided elongated camrning elements 150 and 152 adjacent each end 0f housing 14 Which extern] in directions parallel t0 the longitudinal axis of the housing. Camming elements 150 and 152 are mounted beneath housing 14 on opposite sides thereof. Carnming element 150 is transversely supported in channel bracket 154 clamped, or otherwise detachably comnected as by set screw 158, to the outer face of front housing plate 44. Carnming element 152, in turn, is transversely snpported in channel bracket 156 .clamped or otherwise detachably connected as by set screw 158 to the onter face of rear housing plate 46. Bach bracket 154 and 156 is forrned With a lip section 161 which rests on rack 72 or track 74 respeotively inside housing 14, thereby assisting in supporting its associated bracket 154 01' 156 in position thereon.

Cam face of camming element 150 is operative to engage lower sections 151 and 153 of both cams 144 and 146, pivoting section 148 of cam 144 out of the path of travel of pin 60 while concomitantly pivoting section 149 of carn 146 into the pin path at the limit of travel 01 head 142 in the direction 0f arrow C, FIG. 5. In like manner, carn face 157 of camrning element 152 is operative to pivot cam 146 out of the path of travel of pin 60 while simnltaneously rnoving carn 144 into the pin path at limit of travel of. head 142 in the direction of arrow D, FIG. 5. A spring detent 159 is provided for each carn 144 and 146. Detents 159 apply a slight outward pressure against their associated cams 144 and 146, maintaining cams 144 or 146 in the various pivoted positions they assume through the action 01 camrning elements 150 or 152.

It will be understood that upon disengagement of pin 60 and carn 144 through the action cf carnrning element 150, the travel of head 142 is momentarily interrupted until the chain link carrying pin 60 is travelled frorn the stretch adjacent rear plate 46 into the stretch adjacent front plate 44 aronnd sprocket 50. Heacl 142 is also temporarily halted when cam 146 and pin 60 are disengaged by camrning element 152 adjacent the other end of housing 14.

When it is desired, the distance of reciprocating travel of head 142 can be selectively adjusted by varying the location of brackets 154 and 156 and their associated oamming elements 150 and 152, respectively. Set screws 158 can be loosened and the position of either m bnth brackets 154 and 156 changed on housing 14. Re-tigntening of screws 158 changes its associated bracket 154 and 156 in this new location.

Head 142 is snpportecl for reciprocal travel by a keyway 160 formed therein adapted to accommodate tracl or key 74 on front plate 44. Fnrther head 142 includes an internal cavity 141 to accomxnodate pinion 70 an shar"t 40 which is supported and rotated as hereinbefore described in connection With the preferred ernbodiment of the invention. Further, becanse of the manner in which head 142 is driven by chain conveyor 48, sprocket 58 can be located adjacent its associated end plate 18 whout adverse effect.

Thns there is disclosed a simple, eflicient, inexpensive and highly reliable ink agitator unit espeeially adapted for srnaller presses and for use with magnetic inks.

The invention, in its broader aspects, is not 1irnited t0 the speciiic mechanisrn shown and described but depar- -tures can be 1nade therefrom Within the scope 0f the accompanying clairns, without departing from the principles of the invention and without saerificing its chief advantages.

track in said housing and an accornmodating What we claim is:

1. An agitator device for the ink fountain of a printing press comprising in cornbination an elongated housing enclosing said device, a support bracket at eacl1 end of said l1ousing for mounting said housing in spaced parallel disposition to the ink fountain roller of said press, means for clamping said brackets to the fran1e of said press, means rotatably securing said housing to said brackets for varying the rotational disposition of said housing relative to said roller, an agitator mill depending from an open section in said housing and disposed in said fountain, a shaft operatively associated at one end With said mill for rotating said mill and travelling said mill longitudinally in said fountain, a I1"llll support head slidably supported in said housing, means rotatably supporting the other end of said shaft in said support head, an endless conveyor, means mounting said conveyor in said housing, means for travelling said conveyor in said housing, means operatively associating said conveyor With said head for travelling said head longitudinally back and forth through said housing, and means in said housing fr effecting rotation of said rni1l straft simultaneously With the movement of said head by said conveyor.

2. The invention as defined in claim l Where said mill is conical and detachbly coupled to its associated shaft and wlrerein said shaft rotating means includes a pinion fastened to said Shaft and a raek securcd to said honsing, and in meshing engagernent Witl1 said pinion for efiecting rotation of said pinion and assoeiated shaft in response to longitudinal n1ovement of said head and hous ing.

3. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said conveyor comprises an endless chain mounted for travel in said housing in a plane generally tranverse to said mill shaft.

4. The invention as defined in claim 2 ineluding a keyway formed in said head, said track and keyway slidably supporting said support head in said housing.

5. The invention as defined in claim 2 wherein the teeth of said rack are disposed downwardly when said housing is in operative position on said press whereby the deposit 0f ink thereon is prevented to ensure elegfree operation thereof.

6. An agitator device for the ink fountain of a printing press cornprising in cornbination an enlongated housing, a support bracket at each end of said housing for mounting said housing in spaced parallel disposition to the 1'nk founiain roller of said press, means for clarnping said brackecs to the frame of said press, means rotatably securing said liousing to said brackets for varying the rotational disposition of said housing relative to said roiler, a conical agitator mill for said fountain, an operating shaft f0r said mill, means detachably coupling said mill t0 one end of said operating shaft, a mill support head slidably supported in said housing, means rotatably supporting the other end of said shaft in said support head, an endless enain conveyor, a sprocket at each end of said housing mounting said chain conveyor for -travel therein in a plane generally transverse to said mill shaft, means for rotating one of said sprockets for travelling said conveyor through said housing, a drive pin on said conveyor, means operatively associating said drive pin with said head f0i' travelling said head longitudinally back and forth through said housing, a pinion fixed to the portion of said mill shaft in said support head, and a rack secured to said housing and in meshing engagement with said pinion, whereby longitudinal movernent of said head through said housing by said drive pin effects longitudinal and rotational movement of said agitator mill in said ink fountain.

7. An agitator evice for the ink fountain of a printing press comprising in cornbination an elongated housing, a support bracket at each end of said housing for mounting said housing in spaced parallel disposition to ing,

inent a1: each side of the ink fountain roller of said press, means for damping said brackets to the frame of said press, means rotatably securing said housing to said brackets for varying the relational disposition of said housing relative to said roller, an agitator rnill in said fountain, a shaft operatively associated at one end with said mill for rotating said mill and travelling said mill longitudinally in said fountain, a mill support head slidably supported in said housing, means rotatably supporting the other end of said shaft in said support head, an endless chain conveyor, a pair of spaced sprockets for mounting said Coneyor in said housing for travel therein in a plane generally transverse to said mill shaft, a lateral track forrned in said head, a block slidably accornmodated in said track, a drive pin 011 said chain conveyor, rotatably mounted in said block, means for rotating one of said sprockets to travel said conveyor through said housing, said track accommodating lateral rnovernent cf said block and pin during reversal of travel of said pin in said housing as it rnoves aronnd said sprockets with said conveyor, whereby the direction of longitudinal movement of said head in said housing is reversed, and means in said housing for rotating said mill shaft concomitantly with the longitudinal movernent cf said head in said housing.

8. An agitator device for the ink fountain of a printing press comprising in combination an elogated housing, a support bracket at each end of said housing for mounting said housing in spaced parallel disposition to the ink fountain roller of said press, means for clamping said brackets to the frarne of said press, means rotatably securing said housing to said brackets for varying the ro tational disposition of said housing relative to said roller, an agitator mill in said fountain, a shaft operatively associated at one end With said mill for rotating said mill and travelling said mill longitudinally in said formtain, a mill support head slidably supported in said housmeans rotatably supporting the other end of said shaft in said support head, an endless chain conveyor, a pair of spaced sprockets monnting said conveyor for travel in said housing in a plane generally transverse to said mill shaft,means for efiecting reciprocation of said head in said housing including a cam pivotally mounted to each side of said head, a drive pin travelling back and forth in said housing on said conveyor, a carnrning elesaid housing positioned in the path of travel of a section of said cams on said head for pivoting the assoeiated cam out of engagement With said drive pin moving in one direction in said housing While simultaneously pivoting the other cam into -the return path of travel of said drive pin in the opposite direction Whereby said drive pin alternately engages said carns, pushing said head first in one direction and then in the opposite direction in said housing, and means in said housing for rotating said mill shaft concornitantly With the longitudinal movernent of said head in said housing.

9. The invention as defined in claim 8 including a br acket for mouting each of said camming elements on sard housing and means for selectively adjusting the posit1on of said brackets on said housing to selectively vary the distance of longitudinal reciprocation cf said mill in said fountain.

10. In a rotatable agitator device for the ink fountain of a printing press, the combination comprising an agitator mill, a first shaft rotatably supporting said rnill in said fountain, means for rotating said first shaft including a second shaft, a socket means mounting said socket on the end of said first shaft rernote frorn said mill, a locking passage formed in said socket and having an entry sect1on and a locking section therein, a locking e1ernent on said second shaft adjacent the end thereof remote from said rotating means and adapted to travel through said passage from said entry section to said locking section for locking said first and second shafts for conjoint rotatxon.

11. In a rotatable agitator device for the ink fountain cf a printing press, the combination comprising an agitator mi11, a first shaft rotatably supporting seid mill in said fountain, means for rotating said first shaft including a second shaft, means detachably coupling said first and second shafts, and means for rotating said second shaft, said coupling means including a socket, means rotatably mounting said socket freely on the end of said first shaft remote from said mill, a 1ocking passage formed in seid socket and having an entry section and a locking section therein, a locking element 011 said second shaft adjacent the and thereof remote from said rotating means and adapted to trave1 through said passage from said entry section to said locking section upon relative rotation of seid socket and said second shaft, and means normally urging said locking element into operative locked position in said locking section to secure said first and seeond shafts for conjoint rotation.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Ort1eb Dec. 8, Troche May 9, Gegenheimer May 11, Purdy Sept. 7, Gegenheirner Sept, 2,

FOREIGN PATENTS Great Britain May 19, Great Britain Mar. 16, 

1. AN AGITATOR DEVICE FOR THE INK FOUNTAIN OF A PRINTING PRESS COMPRISING IN COMBINATION AN ELONGATED HOUSING ENCLOSING SAID DEVICE, A SUPPORT BRACKET AT EACH END OF SAID HOUSING FOR MOUNTING SAID HOUSING IN SPACED PARALLEL DISPOSITION TO THE INK FOUNTAIN ROLLER OF SAID PRESS, MEANS FOR CLAMPING SAID BRACKETS TO THE FRAME OF SAID PRESS, MEANS ROTATABLY SECURING SAID HOUSING TO SAID BRACKETS FOR VARYING THE ROTATIONAL DISPOSITION OF SAID HOUSING RELATIVE TO SAID ROLLER, AN AGITATOR MILL DEPENDING FROM AN OPEN SECTION IN SAID HOUSING AND DISPOSED IN SAID FOUNTAIN, A SHAFT OPERATIVELY ASSOCIATED AT ONE END WITH SAID MILL FOR ROTATING SAID MILL AND TRAVELLING SAID MILL LONGITUDINALLY IN SAID FOUNTAIN, A MILL SUPPORT HEAD SLIDABLY SUPPORTED IN SAID HOUSING, MEANS ROTATABLY SUPPORTING THE OTHER END OF SAID SHAFT IN SAID SUPPORT HEAD, AN ENDLESS CONVEYOR, MEANS MOUNTING SAID CONVEYOR IN SAID HOUSING, MEANS FOR TRAVELLING SAID CONVEYOR IN SAID HOUSING, MEANS OPERATIVELY ASSOCIATING SAID CONVEYOR WITH SAID HEAD FOR TRAVELLING SAID HEAD LONGITUDINALLY BACK AND FORTH THROUGH SAID HOUSING, AND MEANS IN SAID HOUSING FOR EFFECTING ROTATION OF SAID MILL SHAFT SIMULTANEOUSLY WITH THE MOVEMENT OF SAID HEAD BY SAID CONVEYOR. 